Oil (sorry it's been done before I know)

Johnny C · Dec 6, 2006

I have seen various posts over time recommending various types of oil. 9M tell me mobil 1 0-40 is too thin for a 1996 engine. They put in Shell semi-synthetic at services as standard.

I used to put in Mobil RS 15-50. I do all motorway driving (20K/year) and it goes much better with that in, especially as it's getting due a service. Motorway is half stop-start and half high speed (100-130 on the M58 if it's empty and it's a dry day)

Apart from Halfords though it's hard to get. I get my oil from a wholesalers in Manchester (Maccess) and they don't stock it. So I tried Castrol RS 10-60 which seems at least as good.

Is there a definitive guide to which oils are best, both for performance and longevity of the engine? Does it depend on what sort of driving you do?

38F3E1 · Dec 6, 2006

It's all personal preference. Currently running Mobil 1 0-40W in my 993 during winter and no leaks, no issues with it. Running Motul 10W-40 during summer.

Good synthetics either 5W-40 or 0W-40 are Porsche's recomendation but everyone (including the independents has opinions).

Ian.

38F3E1 · Dec 6, 2006

The recomended list is in the Technical section of the 993 forum BTW.

Johnny C · Dec 6, 2006

Cheers, will do. I tried Mobil 1 0-40 when I first got the car but it leaked like a sieve. It was leaking anyway, but I had that fixed so I might give it another go sometime.

sawood12 · Dec 6, 2006

As it has been well documented almost all of your engine's wear occurs in the first 10 mins or so of each journey as the oil is coming upto temperature and starting to work properly. Once the oil is upto temp. effectively no wear is occuring at all, therefore I always go for an oil that provides the best cold start protection as possible. This means going for an Ester based oil where the oil will electrostatically cling to the engines internals, and I go for the lowest W rating as possible. Once the oil is upto temp it's the second viscosity that is effective so a 0w40 is the same as a 15w40.

I was always under the impression that a 50 rating is intended for heavy track or race conditions where the temp of the oil will be higher than it gets for normal street use. Modern fully synthetics are perfectly adequate for a street car that sees the track occasionally.

I use Silkolene Pro 5w40 which is an Ester based oil and the only oil I lose is from a weeping lower balance shaft seal. It's pricey but one thing you don't want to scrimp on is oil and ultimately it's a minor cost as it only occurs every 6k miles.

I can't understand why you would consider using a semi synthetic at all. From what i've read there is so little 'synthetic' content they are basically bog standard mineral oils. Surely modern fully synth's have got to be far superior.

hanhams81 · Dec 10, 2006

Hi Folks,
When I bought my 993 it was service and RS10w60 was fitted at my request. Experience with other cars over the years demonstrated quieter engine, definite power release, very low consumption and especially good protection at very high temperatures. It proved its performance in the Jaguar cars winning at Le Mans and World championships. In the course of one year in my 993 I hardly had to top up even after a track day at Bedford. Subsequently serviced and Castrol Magnatec 5W 40 installed. My fault I failed to specify! Consumption has gone up and engine noisier. RS now superceded by Castrol Edge range. Next time it will be "Castrol Edge 5W40 Sport" the newer development of RS and readily available at Halfords. It is not cheap of course but as always we get what we pay for. In my book my engine is as the ad. says "Its worth it"
Hanhams81

petercook · Dec 18, 2006

My 993 has had Mobile 1 as long as it has been available with no leaking seals/gaskets/joints - so far!

Interesting to see the reference to Castrol RS - my early 911 had this put in after an engine rebuild last year and I've tried to get it this year but without success, it's not even listed on the Castrol website. I assume from above that it has been replaced by Castrol Edge?

PJC

38F3E1 · Dec 18, 2006

Run Castrol RS 10W-60 in the early car. Bought some more a couple of weeks ago. Wasn't aware it's discontinued (hope not).

Porker993 · Dec 18, 2006

ORIGINAL: MoC2S

And I've just been to Costco as well .. they have a rather good Beaune 1er Cru at a a slightly higher price per litre, too,
MERRY CHRISTMAS, EVERYONE !!

cheers, Maurice []

Good choice of wine Maurice. I've just bought a bottle from Waitrose, £35 for 75 cl as I recall. Two bottles of Valentin Margaux yesterday were slightly better value @ £21.95 each I feel. Anyway, back to oil : my Indie has been fitting GTX Magnatec 5w 40 for several years now with no appreciable leaks or problems. (Hic)

Johnny C · Jan 5, 2007

They have discontinued the Castrol RS10-60 in name, but the equivalent 10-60 is available in the newer range. It's not easy to tell though, the decoration on the container is the same as the regular one. I get mine from Maccess, a motorparts wholesaler in Manchester, it's about £27+vat/4 litres IIRC.